Nightwing #152 Review

Ra's Al Ghul and Dick Grayson's have an evening social.

The latest issue of Nightwing is essentially one long conversation between Dick Grayson and Ra's Al Ghul, with a horde of ninja assassins and a deadly sword fight thrown in as window dressing. It's one of those comics that could have fallen flat on its face – could have been legitimately lambasted as a complete waste of time – had it not been for its writer's deft ear for dialogue. Although there's dynamic action and plenty of pretty pictures, this is a comic in which two characters do little more than converse with one another until they arrive at a mutual understanding. That it's quite possibly the strongest issue of Peter Tomasi's mostly fantastic run on this title is a testament to his masterful talent for dialogue and characterization, and reminds us what sets him apart from the most of DC's writers.

The issue begins with Nightwing lamenting the loss of his mentor in the bowels of the Batcave, a grieving process that's interrupted when minions from the League of Assassins come literally raining down on him from above. This leads to a four-page silent action sequence that showcases Don Kramer's dynamic pencils and panel layouts, and culminates in the conversation between Dick and Ra's Al Ghul that consumes the rest of the issue. This dialogue begins over speakerphone, continues in person in the depths of one of Ra's Lazarus Pits, and then escalates into a swordfight between the two adversaries. What's so remarkable about this issue is that the action that takes place during the conversation is essentially inconsequential other than to give Don Kramer something to draw (and he draws the action marvelously); the two characters could just have easily been sitting at two ends of the same table, and the issue would have been just as entertaining to read.

Again, the strength of this issue rests entirely with Tomasi's dialgue. Though the sword fight definitely heightens and acts as a metaphor for their argument, the dialogue would be just as sharp without it. This is without a doubt a ruthless duel of words, with both men attacking with well-aimed barbs and quips before retreating in defense. And no matter how punchy and rhythm Tomasi's dialogue might be (and it's pretty damn punchy and rhythmic), the issue wouldn't be worth much of a damn if he didn't capture each character's voice well. As anyone who's read Tomasi' run could attest to, one thing he knows how to do is capture Dick Grayson's voice. This issue proves he's just as adept at capturing the Demon's Head's as well. The dialogue here is quite simply perfect.

By the time the issue is over, Tomasi has us convinced that the two have not only successfully sized each other up, but have also reached newfound respect for one another. This is important, because ever since word came down the pipeline that Bruce Wayne would be taken out of the picture, fans have been speculating whether or not Dick Grayson has what it takes to fill Bruce's shoes and stand toe-to-toe with his baddest foes. This issue proves definitively that as long as the story's in the hands of a capable writer, Dick Grayson can go toe-to-toe with anyone.

If you're looking for pitch-perfect dialogue in a superhero comic, look no further than Nightwing #152.